Rain Returning/When Simon Leaves American Idol/Post Office Disappointment

WEATHER
A nice moderation of temperatures across the country with the coldest air over the Great Lakes and northeast. Highs there will be in the teens, 20s and 30s. Across the southern states and west coast, temperatures will reach the 50s to 70s. Elsewhere, highs will be in the 40s. Look for some thunderstorms in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and some rain in the Pacific Northwest and some rain/snow over the Rockies.

Houston will be cloudy through Saturday afternoon with showers on Thursday and some heavier rain Friday in to Saturday. Look for some sunshine to return on Sunday. There will be some more rain the middle of the coming week. Highs will be in the 50s and 60s with lows mainly in the 40s.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do idol or ídolo, pronounced EE-dough-low. Did you hear about Simon Cowell leaving ídolo americano next season. Tell me what you think in my new poll.

For a 3rd week in a row, we got an order from our main distributor. So, I am very hopeful that it is taking hold. Be one of the first...order my DVD series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. And, you'll feel good about purchasing it, knowing that it has won awards from Dr. Toy and homeschool.com as a best educational product. You can find Volumes 1 or 2 at http://www.frankandpaco.com
, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
Well, usually I enjoy allergy free months during the winter (before oak tree pollen returns), but I am also very allergic to mountain cedar. So, I'm wondering why I am having trouble the last few days. I called the Houston area allergy number (from the City of Houston) 713-247-5846 and found out that mountain cedar was at medium levels today. Keep in mind this is from one collection site in the Med. Center area. But still, that explains that. You can call that number to find out about allergen levels for tree and grass pollens (including ragweed in the fall) and mold spores.

This one comes from the office of that should not be happening! The office where I work (while Sarah is at school) had some certified mail to pick up Monday at a post office annex. When you walk in, there are 2 closed doors and a door bell with a sign instructing to push the bell for service. Well, one of our employees went Monday and waited 15 minutes and had to give up and leave to get back to work. So, I went Tuesday morning. Now, I only had to wait about 2 minutes, but I was slightly perplexed when the man who opened the top half of the day asked me "Were you worried I wouldn't come?" He was very pleasant--I'll admit that. So, he said he was going to get my certified mail and shut the door. Once again, I can see nothing. Meanwhile a couple more people come in and we got to talking about what happened to my co-worker. The man said that he works for a non-profit health clinic and they depend on checks which are mailed this time of year and they had been having trouble with a vacation relief carrier not delivering their mail. He said he had been to this annex several times and more than once had to wait more than 15 minutes. He actually said he has waited "much longer than that". What do you think about that folks...I just think its wrong that you are at their mercy and have no way to know what is going on behind those doors.

One of Sarah's spelling words this week is "tradition". That got me to thinking about the song from Fiddler on the Roof. So I looked it up on youtube and Sarah and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. I saw Topol himself when the stage production came through Houston about 10 years ago. I read in the Houston Chronicle that Topol (who was here again last year doing the show) was in his last run with the show and that he had done the show more than 2000 times. So here for your enjoyment is the link from youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRdfX7ut8gw

Speaking of youtube videos, I am going to put a link here for the National Bone Marrow donor program. Gordy and I are members and there are now 8 million. So far there have been 4800 successful transplants!!! If you are a match, you literally will save a life!!! Please sign up today--make this your number 1 New Year's Resolution. The procedure for transplanting is not as involved as it used to be and you are never charged!!!

My poll on how you feel about January is closed. 25% say they love the cold weather. 62% said they don't like the cold weather. 37% enjoy the fresh start to the new year. 12% feel energized. 50% said they wish the holidays weren't over. 12% said they are happy the holidays are over. 12% said they enjoy the last games of football season. 12% said they feel blue. No one said they are ready to work on taxes, that it is their favorite month or it is their least favorite month or other. More than one answer was allowed. Thanks to all who participated.

My new poll is about Simon Cowell leaving American Idol next season? Will that affect whether you watch or do you not watch at all? Only one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

Have a terrific Thursday. Don't forget to keep your umbrellas handy.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman